Essential reading as part of the Chief of Naval Operation's Professional Reading Program!

Now available in paperback, this biography of Medal of Honor recipient LT Michael P. Murphy received extensive media coverage when published in hardcover last year by the Naval Institute Press. Author Gary Williams and Dan Murphy, Lieutenant Murphy's father, toured widely and appeared on national television shows, including The Sean Hannity Show, Fox & Friends, and The Michael Smerconish Show. Film rights to the book have been sold as well.

Lieutenant Murphy, the leader of a Navy SEAL squad, was killed during a fierce battle against the Taliban on a remote mountainside in the Kongeral Valley of Afghanistan on 28 June 2005. The first to receive the nation's highest military honor for service in Afghanistan, Lieutenant Murphy was also the first naval officer to earn the medal since the Vietnam War. Honored for his courage and leadership in the face of certain death, he is now the subject of Naval Special Warfare courses on leadership, and a guided-missile destroyer, naval base, school, post office, ball park, and hospital emergency room have all been named in his honor.

SEAL of Honor tells the story of Lieutenant Murphy's life and how he came to be the man that Marcus Luttrell, the sole survivor of the mission, called "the best officer I ever knew, an iron-souled warrior of colossal, almost unbelievable courage in the face of the enemy." In attempting to answer why Lieutenant Murphy readily sacrificed his life for his comrades, the author traces the SEAL's journey from a seemingly ordinary life on New York's Long Island to those extraordinary last moments half a world away. Lieutenant Murphy's story has captured the nation's attention, making him one of the most celebrated Medal of Honor recipients since World War II.

Gary Williams is a graduate of the University of Dayton and a thirty-year employee of the State of Ohio. Married with six children, he is also the author of Siege in Lucasville. He had the full cooperation and support of the Murphy family in writing SEAL of Honor.

"Those who have had the privilege of working with the Navy SEALs invariably ask the question, 'where do we get such incredible Americans?' SEAL of Honor helps to answer that question in a most poignant way by focusing on Lt. Michael Murphy, his family on Long Island, NY, and the Navy SEALs; documenting the way each impacted the others. From this, we get insight not only into how Michael developed his strong sense of moral clarity, duty and honor, but also into the legacy he, his teammates and the entire Special Operations community left for our Nation."

—Donald C. Winter, 74th United States Secretary of the Navy

"The life of Lt. Michael P. Murphy is a true testament to the value of hard work and patriotism. In SEAL of Honor, Gary Williams highlights the unfortunately brief, but purpose-driven life of this extraordinary young man and his remarkable display of selflessness and courage. The United States suffered a terrible loss with the passing of Lt. Murphy but he left behind a legacy that all Americans can be proud of and aspire to."

—Bob Kerrey, President, The New School, former Navy SEAL, 1966-1969, and former United States Senator of Nebraska, 1989-2001

"A great deal has been written about Operation Red Wings, and exactly what took place in those mountains on that fateful day we may never know. But, we do know this. Mike Murphy did all in his power to accomplish his mission. When that became impossible, he did all in his power to take care of his men. In the face of impossible odds and mortally wounded, he fought and led until the moment he was killed. For those of us who have since learned of Michael Murphy's courage in those last terrible hours, we marvel at such gallantry"

—Dick Couch, author of The Sheriff of Ramadi and A Tactical Ethic

"In SEAL of Honor, Gary Williams captures the nearly lost tradition of the 'family unit' as an American foundation of life. The natural progression of this baseline was the total dedication and focus exercised by Michael P. Murphy in attaining his goal—BE A SEAL OFFICER, and join the professional military family which he served to the maximum. There is no 'I' in SEAL. This book epitomizes 'core values' to the highest degree. Lt. Michael P. Murphy, USN, is truly a 'role model' for all Americans in these challenging times."

—CDR Richard Marcinko, USN (Ret), founder of SEAL Team SIX and author of Rogue Warrior

"SEAL of Honor is an intimate portrait of Mike Murphy's life, his values, and where they came from. Gary Williams shows us his family, his training, and his service, so we can understand Michael and what he carried with him. Gary Williams has done an amazing job of interviewing and researching. We need to understand men like Michael Murphy, if we want to have any more like him."

—Larry Bond, author of Red Phoenix and Cold Choices

"Exceptionally well done! Gary Williams tells the story of an American hero with such clarity that the leadership lessons spring from every page. This book is a must read for all who hold freedom dear."

Gary Williams is a graduate of the University of Dayton and a thirty-year employee of the State of Ohio. Married with six children, he is also the author of Siege in Lucasville. He had the full cooperation and support of the Murphy family in writing SEAL of Honor.

More by this Author

SEAL OF HONOR

Also Availble as an Audio Edition from Audible via Amazon
Essential reading as part of the Chief of... Read More[11]